The pledge was signed by no teachers on Feb. 25, the day before. It now has 21 pledges from Springfield teachers.
They’re one of the thousands of US teachers pledging to continue educating students about the controversial Critical Race Theory, which explains racism is embedded in US culture and politics.
Comments from Springfield teachers included, "Our students need to know the truth!" and "Teaching about history as it is related to literature is essential to learning. How can I teach about the early history of the United States and not include Native American narratives along with slavery and African American voices? Banning the teaching materials only shows some legislators ignorance and intolerance of the struggle people of color have had and continue to have in this country. Should we also take out Irish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese and Jewish immigrant narratives also? I will not be bullied by legislators over the material that I teach. That is why I am signing my name. Sincerely,Kyle Wallace".
Though the concept was first suggested in the late 70’s, it has recently exploded as a contentious issue between the American right and left in the last two years.
Many who signed the pledge are defying state bans on the teachings. Arizona, Idaho, Iowa, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas have passed legislation banning discussions about the US being inherently racist.
Other states, such as Montana and South Dakota, have denounced the teachings without passing specific legislation.
In an interview with The Washington Free Beacon', Ashley Varner of the Freedom Foundation accused the Zinn Education Project of providing “left-leaning propaganda to teachers.”
| Teachers | Thoughts on Critical Race Theory |
|---|---|
| Amber Wixtrom | I believe students have a right to know the truth and to become advocates for the human rights of all! |
| Blontas Mitchell | This is quoted a lot “The Truth Will Set You Free”, yet it is so true. The truth about our history will set all of us free. Lies set up this false frame of our country, these lies set up the racist thinking we all have been navigating with through the world. As more and more truth is revealed, and more and more people let theirselves see, hear and feel the truth Change can happen. Not a truth that demonizes people, a truth that breaks the lie of Supremacy, of someone being better than another, that set up our institutions,and government by laws ,policies and procedures to discriminate against certain groups of people to impede those groups from life, liberty and the pursuit of equality. |
| Brenna Kane | My students deserve the truth. Unjust and racist laws will not stop me from educating my students and telling them the entire history of our country - good AND bad. |
| Chris Trevethan | I am a teacher, an educator. I work with learners who make changes for the better. Teachers ought to help not hinder. |
| Cody Rosenberg | No comment |
| Colin Johnston | It’s is important for us to learn the whole of history, counter narratives particularly so. |
| Dana Edwards | it's the right thing to do. |
| David Hensel | I saw the list of excellent educators who pledged to the truth on some right wing website. I also want to teach the truth to our students and be included on stand with so many incredible teachers and friends. |
| Diane Ghedi | It’s the right thing to do |
| Gladys Franco | No comment |
| Ingrid Kamphaus | I believe in transparency, truth, and justice. If not now, when? |
| Joellen Kriss-Broubalow | I will not lie to young people. |
| Katie Timm | we can't and shouldn't be ignoring and/or rewriting history. We owe to out children to teach them the truth. |
| Kyle Wallace | Teaching about history as it is related to literature is essential to learning. How can I teach about the early history of the United States and not include Native American narratives along with slavery and African American voices? Banning the teaching materials only shows some legislators ignorance and intolerance of the struggle people of color have had and continue to have in this country. Should we also take out Irish, Italian, Japanese, Chinese and Jewish immigrant narratives also? I will not be bullied by legislators over the material that I teach. That is why I am signing my name. Sincerely,Kyle Wallace |
| Marie Keith | I have been teaching Social Justice at my school for five years now. I believe that our students have the right to learn about the truth. The point of teaching is to teach our students to think for themselves using critical thinking. |
| Marie Keith | Our students need to know the truth! |
| Maureen McGurk | I will not lie to students. |
| Melissa Bennett-Lafond | No comment |
| Michele Bradley | No comment |
| Michelle Phillips | Truth matters. We can only learn to be better by knowing our true past. We can only understand each other if we are honest about our own history. |
| Richard Schur | American literary history is messy, complicated, and all-too-often shaped by questions of race. To truly be a patriot and love this country, we need to understand the stories that have been told and the ones that are missing or hidden. America is only strong when everyone is thriving. To be a true patriot, we need to grapple with the good and bad of history, so we can help realize the principles of freedom and equality that founded the country, even if we have not always met those lofty ideals. |
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